PHW Gruppe - The Founders
These words from Heinz Lohmann are more than just a quote. With them, the company founder established the foundations of the WIESENHOF philosophy. From the outset, Heinz Lohmann always had the right feeling for a promising “idea with legs”.
With just 5.70 marks in his pocket, Paul Wesjohann found a job on a farm in Rechterfeld in the Oldenburg Münsterland, now in Lower Saxony, in the 1920s. In 1932, he opened a small agricultural business with a hatchery. With his hallmark diligence, thrift and courage, he steadily expanded the company.
Founding years
Let us cast a glance back at 1932. A devastating economic crisis was raging, with high unemployment and cutbacks in welfare benefits. Nevertheless, there were also some young business people around with a healthy dose of optimism and entrepreneurial initiative: Heinz Lohmann in Cuxhaven and Paul Wesjohann in Rechterfeld fell into this category.
1932
Paul Wesjohann establishes an agricultural business with a hatchery
Heinz Lohmann establishes Deutsche Fischmehlfabrik, a plant producing fish meal.
PHW Gruppe - A new beginning after the war
Starting all over again after the war was difficult. Buildings lay in ruins, but the two
entrepreneurs rolled up their sleeves and worked hard to rebuild their businesses.
Paul Wesjohann focused increasingly on poultry breeding.